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Open enrollment bill clears Missouri House for fifth year in a row

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missouriindependent.com – Annelise Hanshaw – 2025-03-12 14:35:00

Open enrollment bill clears Missouri House for fifth year in a row

by Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent
March 12, 2025

Legislation that would allow students to enroll in neighboring school districts won approval from the Missouri House on Wednesday. 

The 88-69 vote saw 22 Republicans join with all but three Democrats in opposition. It now heads to the Missouri Senate.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Brad Pollitt of Sedalia, has filed the legislation for five years in a row.  It narrowly passed the House four times but has never come to a vote in the Senate.

Over the years, the bill has shifted with protections added, like a 3% cap on the number of students that may leave a school district each year. School districts may opt in to accept students, but schools do not have an option to restrict students from leaving.

“This bill has been vetted tighter than any other bill,” Pollitt said during the debate Wednesday.

Supporters of the legislation commended it as a solution to make public schools more competitive during times when programs that allow public funding for private schools are growing nationwide.

State Rep. John Black, a Marshfield Republican, said he is “perplexed that any public-school advocate would oppose this bill.”

Black voted against a bill passed last year that boosted MOScholars, a tax credit program that diverts general fund dollars to pay for private school tuition.

State Rep. Marlene Terry, a Democrat from St. Louis, also spoke in favor of the bill Wednesday. Last year, she broke from much of her party as a deciding vote in passing the MOScholars bill.

She is grateful for her choice, she said, because a student from her district was able to attend the school of his choice. Terry became emotional, saying the boy recently died.

“Pass this bill,” she said. “Because you never know what might happen.”

Opponents say unpredictability is exactly why the bill shouldn’t pass.

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State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Columbia Democrat, said future legislative sessions could remove protections in the bill.

“We have no guarantees that next year bills won’t come forward to remove the opt-in provision, or remove the 3%,” she said. “And these things could devastate our communities.”

She pointed to the legislation establishing MOScholars, which passed in 2021 and was expanded last year. The program was written to be funded by tax-credit-eligible donations, but Gov. Mike Kehoe proposed in his budget this year to give $50 million to the fund.

“It’s not hard to see that we’re taking money from public schools,” she said.

Democrats in opposition asked for funding for public schools instead of open enrollment.

“We should be focusing on the issues where the students live,” said State Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson.

If schools are marked as failing and students leave, it will hurt property values and further reduce the funding for public schools in the area because of the lower property tax revenue, she said.

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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

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Illinois family desperate for answers after man goes missing in Mississippi River

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10 hours ago

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April 18, 2025

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Illinois family desperate for answers after man goes missing in Mississippi River

www.youtube.com – FOX 2 St. Louis – 2025-04-18 22:22:17

SUMMARY: An Illinois family is urgently seeking answers after 52-year-old Shane Bear fell into the Mississippi River while being chased by police over the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge on Wednesday night. The family fears that the search efforts have slowed and that their loved one may still be alive. Bear, who had mental health struggles and outstanding warrants, was reportedly attempting to climb under the bridge when he slipped and fell into the river. Illinois State Police, alongside the Coast Guard and local fire departments, have conducted aerial and boat searches, but the family demands more thorough efforts.

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An Illinois family is demanding police do more after they said their loved one fell into the Mississippi River.

They said it happened as he was being chased by police Wednesday night over the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge.

St. Louis News: FOX 2 covers news, weather, and sports in Missouri and Illinois. Read more about this story or see the latest updates on our website https://FOX2Now.com

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Missouri health department announces first measles case of 2025

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18 hours ago

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April 18, 2025

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missouriindependent.com – Clara Bates – 2025-04-18 14:39:00

by Clara Bates, Missouri Independent
April 18, 2025

Missouri’s first confirmed measles case of the year involves a child in Taney County, the health department announced Friday afternoon.

The child’s vaccination status “has not yet been verified,” according to the press release.

The child, who is not a Missouri resident, was visiting Taney County and was diagnosed “soon after arrival,” Lisa Cox, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a press release.

Taney County is in southwest Missouri, and its largest city is Branson. 

“Exposure is believed to be limited, and known contacts have been identified and contacted,” Cox said, adding that the state is supporting Taney County’s health department to investigate possible exposure. 

The case is “associated with recent international travel,” Cox said.

Measles is a highly-contagious virus the country declared eliminated 25 years ago, but that has resurged with falling vaccination rates. 

“For those unvaccinated or those unsure of their vaccination status, now is the time to review records and get caught up if needed,” Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist with DHSS, said in the press release.

The percent of Missouri kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella has declined over the last several years, from 95% in the 2019-2020 school year to 91% in the 2023-2024 school year, in public schools, per DHHS data. In private schools, the drop has been even larger, from 92% to 85% in the same period.

Nationally, there are at least 800 reported cases of measles across 25 states, according to Center for Disease Control data as of Friday. That doesn’t include Missouri’s case, Cox said, because the state received lab test results Thursday night, after the federal reporting deadline for this week. 

That is the highest number for a single year since 2019 and is still growing.

The majority of measles infections nationally have been reported in a West Texas outbreak. There have been two confirmed deaths, both in Texas. 

Kansas has reported 37 cases, possibly linked to the Texas outbreak.

There are outbreaks in Canada and Mexico, too, and several states have reported isolated cases as the result of international travel.

At the same time, the federal government has cut grant funding set aside for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to encourage vaccinations, according to St. Louis Public Radio.

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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

The post Missouri health department announces first measles case of 2025 appeared first on missouriindependent.com

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Be Our Guest to Cocina Latina with traditional Mexican dishes!

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22 hours ago

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April 18, 2025

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Be Our Guest to Cocina Latina with traditional Mexican dishes!

www.youtube.com – FOX 2 St. Louis – 2025-04-18 10:24:36

SUMMARY: Cocina Latina is preparing for a Cinco de Mayo celebration with traditional Mexican dishes. Chef Mighty Sec has created a vibrant menu featuring tacos, margaritas, nachos, and more. Guests can enjoy an array of flavorful dishes, including French fries, tacos, and a signature sandwich inspired by Texas. The event is set to take place on May 3rd, and attendees can purchase gift certificates at a special price. It’s a great opportunity to savor delicious food and celebrate with festive drinks, including the popular skinny margarita. For more details, visit their website for ticket information.

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Named one of St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s top 100 restaurants in 2022, Cocina Latina is bringing classic dishes everyone loves—from chimichangas, fajitas, enchiladas and more!

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